The Best Album of 2009

There were a lot of great albums released in 2009: Røyksopp, a-ha, Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, Imogen Heap, just to name a few. But one album is far superior to them all: Declaration of Dependence by Kings of Convenience. It isn't the most "trendy" music and it will not get a lot of air time on the radio, but as far as talent, both musically and lyrically, there is nothing better. Below are the songs from the new album--take a listen and then go out and buy the album for yourself--you will not regret it!

24-25
"What we built is bigger than the sum of two. But some where I lose count of my own. And some how I must find it alone."


Mrs. Cold
"Hey baby, Mrs. Cold. Acting so tough, I didn't know you had it in you to be hurt at all"


Me In You
"Crossroads and given the option to pass and look back at goals we've missed. Rainbows or burning bridges, if you squint a little more they look the same."


Boat Behind
"So we meet again after several years, several years of separation."


Rule My World
"Only someone who is morally superior can possibly and honestly deserve to rule my world."


My Ship Isn't Pretty
"The sky was the blankest sheet. We drew lines upon it so our thoughts could meet."


Renegade
"Why are you whispering when the bombs are falling? Go easy on me, I can't help what I'm doing."


Power Of Not Knowing
"The bigger blessing girl is being young--the power of not knowing where you belong. I tried so hard to keep it, not to lose that secret, waiting for someone like you to come along."


Peacetime Resistance
"We've got four eyes, so why yearn for one perspective?"


Freedom And Its Owner
"Freedom, freedom never greater than its owner. Freedom is the mastery of the known."


Riot On An Empty Street
"My life, it's a riot, I am climbing barricades in empty streets at night."


Second To Numb
"He won't touch you anymore, staying at his side. Half indifferent, half afraid it will only make you cry."


Scars On Land
"We take what's dead and breath life in"

Favorite 2009 Album Releases

2009 is a good year for artists that I like coming out with albums--there is a lot of new music that I enjoy (or will soon be enjoying--some albums will be released in the next few months). Needless to say, here is a sampling of the bands that are releasing new albums in 2009 (I've featured both a-ha and Kings of Convenience before, so I've included different songs on this list--scroll back a few posts to listen to my favorite songs off of their new albums):

Regina Specktor's "Eet" from the new album "Far":


Røyksopp's "You Don't Have a Clue" from the new album "Junior":


Imogen Heap's "First Train Home" from the new album "Ellipse":


A-ha's "The Bandstand" from the new album "Foot of the Mountain":


Kings of Convenience's "Boat Behind" from the new album "Declaration of Dependence":


Ingrid Michaelson's "Maybe" from the new album "Everybody":


The Whitest Boy Alive's "Courage" from the new album "Rules":


Peter, Bjorn, and John's "Nothing to Worry About" from the new album "Living Thing":


The Radio Dept.'s "David" from the new album "Clinging to a Scheme":


The Decemberists' "The Hazards of Love, Part 1" from the new album "The Hazards of Love":


Fever Ray's "Triangle Walks" from the new album "Fever"


*Furthermore, there is a new band called "Bad Lieutenant" coming out with an album in October that I am really excited about--I can't find any of their music as of yet so I am not sure if it is any good, but the band is made up of New Order/Joy Division's Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris, Blur's Alex James, Phil Cunningham, and Jake Evans. The album is called "Never Cry Another Tear". New Order is one of my all-time favorite bands and Blur is a great band as well, so I am super excited to find out what kind of sound they are going to produce. 2009--ah, what a great year for new albums!!!

New Albums!!! Exciting Times!!!

So I feel like a giddy schoolboy anticipating Christmas day! I have recently learned that two of my favorite bands are releasing new albums and I cannot wait to purchase the music. In the meantime, it is as if the music is nicely wrapped in Christmas paper and I have quietly stolen away under the Christmas tree to peel back the wrapping to see what is inside--I can thank youtube for allowing me a peak. :)
The first band is my all-time favorite: a-ha. Their album "Foot of the Mountain" has already been released in Germany (they have a German label) and will be released in the UK in just a couple of days. a-ha has always produced excellent music and in my opinion have gotten better and better as the years have passed. Check out the music video for "Foot of the Mountain" (an excellent song from the new album):


a-ha consist of the three original band members and various other musicians that contribute to their work. The three original members are Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and Magne Furuholmen. "Foot of the Mountain" is a re-working of one of Magne Furuholmen's songs from his solo project. The original song is called "The Longest Night" and can be viewed here:

The interesting thing with a-ha is that all three members embark on their own side projects and then come back together to create work for a-ha. They often times will borrow ideas and songs from their side work, as is seen from the previous youtube posting. Needless to say, I am super excited to purchase the new album (and if you like a-ha and Magne f, you need to check out Savoy--Paul Waaktaar-Savoy's band--"Whalebone" is an excellent song off of their album "Songbook")!

Another of my favorite bands is Kings of Convenience. They have not released an album in 5 years, which has been driving me crazy as I love their music and style (If they keep produce music over the next 25 years like a-ha has done, they have the potential of one day becoming my all-time favorite, but it will be difficult to unseat a-ha from that standing). What has helped over that period of time is the fact that Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe have both been working on side projects of their own. Best known would be Erlend's work with a band called The Whitest Boy Alive (he has also done some electronic music under his own name). As much as I like WBA, it doesn't touch KOC. Anyhow, KOC's album is scheduled for release this coming Autumn, but once more, youtube has given us a little offering of their new music. This song is titled "Mrs. Cold" (such a great song):


Needless to say, I am bubbling over with excitement with all of this new music coming out (I've heard that Acid House Kings are also supposed to be coming out with a new album--how awesome will that be!). Hooray for a-ha and KOC!

And just to tide you over, here is a song by "The Whitest Boy Alive" called "Figures":


Oh, and I almost forgot, here we can see an example in style and tribute--apparently, Kings of Convenience are also fans of a-ha. Manhattan Skyline was written and performed by a-ha back in the 80s. Kings of Convenience ended up covering it with their unique style. Check out the original by a-ha:


. . . and the cover by Kings of Convenience:


I hope that you have enjoyed these little clips of both new and old music. . . be sure to check out the new albums when they are released! :)

Countdown to Syttende Mai--The Kings of Convenience

Music always plays an important role in any given culture. Now that we have explored Grieg, Bull, and Nordraak, it is time to move to the present music scene of Norway. The last time I was in Norway (2004) I took occasion to speak with various people while waiting for a train to my next destination. One conversation with a young man led to a discussion of music and I was introduced to the Kings of Convenience. I later stopped in a music store in Stockholm, Sweden, found one of their albums, gave it a listen and instantly loved it! Ever since, I have been promoting K.O.C. (Kings of Convenience).
Anyhow, K.O.C. are from Bergen, Norway (the same hometown of both Bull and Grieg). Bergen is a beautiful city located on the west coast of Norway and is known for its music festivals. The rail-line from Oslo to Bergen is fantastic! If you are ever in Norway you must take the train between the two cities and be sure to take a little side trip to one of the fjords for a cruise--you will be blown away by the beauty and serenity that you will experience in such a location. But I am here to focus on the music not the nature in this entry, so check out a few of the videos by K.O.C. and enjoy the beauty and the serenity that comes from their music!
This first video is to the song "Misread," which I absolutely love. It is this song that initially stuck in my head and was reminiscent of a modern and much improved Simon and Garfunkel:

Next, we have a live version of "I Don't Know What I Can Save You From," which happens to be my all-time favorite K.O.C. song (actually it is tied with "Summer on the Westhill"). Needless to say, I have heard that they are awesome live. One day I shall have to make it to a concert (that would be a good excuse for a trip to Europe):

The song "I'd Rather Dance With You" is probably their most popular song in the United States:

"Cayman Islands" is a really relaxing song (as is most of their music):

Anyhow, there is so much more for true music lovers to explore both with K.O.C. and with bands from Norway. Rumor has it that K.O.C. is supposed to be working on a new album (which I hope is true). Enjoy the tunes!